Natural events continue to take a heavy toll on human lives. Added to this are the challenge of dynamic at-risk settings, uncertainty, and increasing threats, which demand holistic, flexible, and quickly adaptable solutions. In this context, mobile applications are strongly emerging as communication tools that can assist in disaster reduction. Yet, these have not been sufficiently evaluated. In view of this, the aim of this research is to evaluate the adequacy of mobile applications in disaster risk reduction in reference to some of the deadliest natural events. To this purpose, a two-part methodology is developed. Firstly, a random sample of applications is evaluated and contrasted with the literature. Secondly, the viability of mobile applications is determined based on the Digital Application Potential Index proposed by the authors, cross-referenced in Geographical Information Systems with the WorldRiskIndex. The results show that most mobile applications limit their coverage range to only one stage of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and one type of hazard event, failing to address systemic risk and hampering the scale-up of humanitarian response. For these to become adequate and wide-reaching, strong policies to promote reliability, transparency, and citizen empowerment would be required. The policies establishing the use of mobile applications as a viable tool for DRM must consider reducing the prices of internet connectivity while increasing educational levels, on top of language translation. At this point, the adoption of mobile applications is unable to ensure DRM communication, especially in countries with higher-risk levels, requiring these to be complemented with auxiliary tools. Graphic abstract

The thesis addresses the issue of segregation of vulnerable neighbourhoods, which adds to the the complex, diverse, and uncertain nature of contemporary cities. The cities (and the neighbourhoods on a more encompassing scale) constitute complex adaptive systems that require holistic and flexible approaches. This is congruent with how the situation of self-built working-class neighbourhoods has been progressively perceived and addressed in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The assessments of the comprehensive improvement programmes implemented in the LAC region suggest that their success lies in a comprehensive multi-scalar approach with governance models that encompass all tiers of government, the private sector, and empowered populations. This implicitly points to the need for a systemic approach in accordance with the nature of the neighbourhood-city.However, the evaluations of such programmes also highlight some of the challenges that hinder their implementation. Amongst the operational challenges, the technical capacity for programme coordination entailing investments across various sectors and a multiplicity of inter-institutional actors with changing teams, the relevance of implementation control and monitoring mechanisms, as well as the availability of adequate information systems, stand out. The Sustainability challenges include the political continuity of investments, social support measures (often relegated exclusively to other processes), and the operation and maintenance of services. All this adds to the complication and investment costs. For this reason, and due to the way in which the problem is conceptualised by many institutions, sectoral approaches persist, with a tendency towards isolated and rather underfinanced programmes that end up reinforcing a vicious circle of regularisation. INTRODUCCIÓN-I.1. Motivación frente al reto y antecedentes -I.2. Síntesis del reto -I.3. Avance de hipótesis y objetivos de la tesis -I.4. Metodología general y estructura de la tesis -I.5. Alcances y recursos